Natamycin
About Natamycin
Natamycin belongs to a class of medication called 'antifungal' used to treat fungal infections of the eye. A fungal infection is a disease in which a fungus attacks the tissue and causes damage to the eye. Fungi are commonly present in nature but do not cause infections normally. However, if the fungi enter the eye, then it causes eye pain, redness, and blurred vision.
Natamycin contains 'Natamycin', which works by killing fungi by destroying their outer cell membrane. The fungal cell membranes are essential for their survival as they prevent the entry of unwanted substances into the cells and stop the leakage of cell contents.
Use Natamycin as suggested by the doctor. You are advised to use Natamycin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience eye irritation, allergic reaction, vision change and eye pain. Most of these side effects of Natamycin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Before using Natamycin, tell your doctor if you have any allergy to any of its components. Natamycin should only be used in pregnancy or breastfeeding females if specified by the doctor. Natamycin is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness were not established. Avoid driving after taking Natamycin as it may affect your ability to drive. Natamycin is safe to use in elderly people as no difference in safety and effectiveness has been observed.
Uses of Natamycin
Medicinal Benefits
Natamycin is recommended for the treatment of fungal infections of the eye such as conjunctivitis (infection of the white part of the eye), endophthalmitis (infection of the inside part of the eye) and keratitis (infection of the clear part of the eye) caused by fungi in the eyes. It acts by stopping the growth of fungus in the eye that provides relief in irritation, redness, itching, swelling of the eye associated with a fungal eye infection.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Natamycin
- Mild eye discomfort
- Change in vision
- Allergic reaction
- Chest pain
- Eye swelling
- Eye pain
Drug Warnings
It is advised not to touch the tip of the dropper as it may contaminate the Natamycin. Patients are advised not to wear contact lenses while using this medicine. If you are using any other medicine, then wait for at least 5 minutes after applying Natamycin. After using Natamycin, wait for some time so that your vision clears up. Do not drive or operate any machine just after applying Natamycin as this medicine may make eyes blurred for some time. This drug only works for a fungal eye infection and does not work for other types of infections. Using Natamycin unnecessarily or misusing it may decrease the effectiveness of the drug. It is advised to use this medicine full time, as sudden stopping the medicine may allow the fungus to continue to grow which may allow the fungus to grow.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Natamycin may interact with corticosteroid eye medications like prednisolone and dexamethasone.
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: No interactions were reported.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
safe if prescribedInteraction of Natamycin with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Natamycin.
Pregnancy
cautionNatamycin is a pregnancy category C drug so it may harm the fetus. Natamycin should only be used in pregnant females if clearly specified by the doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if Natamycin can pass in breast milk or not so it should only be used in pregnant females if clearly specified by the doctor.
Driving
unsafeAvoid driving after taking Natamycin as it may cause blurred vision for some time that may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
safe if prescribedNatamycin is safe to use in patients with the liver disease only when prescribed by a doctor.
Kidney
cautionNatamycin should be used with caution in renal problems. Dose adjustments may be necessary.
Children
cautionNatamycin is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Wash your hands regularly and keep your hands clean to prevent the spread of germs.
- Avoid dusty activities and digging in the soil.
- Wear shoes, a long-sleeved t-shirt, and long pants while doing outdoor activities such as yard work, gardening, or vising wooded areas to protect from fungus commonly present in the environment.
- Maintain a diet that is low in sugar, refined carbohydrates, mold-containing foods, and yeast.
Special Advise
To diagnose the fungal infection in the eye, the doctor may examine the eye by taking a small sample of tissue or fluid from the eye.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Eye infections caused by fungi is known as fungal eye infection. These infections are rare, but they can be severe.
Conjunctivitis: It is also known as 'pink eye', and is an infection that affects the outer membrane of the eyeball. This is a contagious disease that can spread from one person to another through hand-to-eye contact or touching objects that are already touched by persons who have infected eyes. Symptoms include pink eyes, watery discharge, and itchiness of the eyes.
Keratitis: It is a common eye infection that affects the cornea (clear part) of an eye. People who use contact lenses are at high risk of developing this condition in comparison to others who don't wear lenses. symptoms include redness, eye discharge, pain, and irritation of the eye.
Endophthalmitis: This infection affects the inside part of the eyes. Common symptoms include redness of eyes, white or yellow discharge from eyes, reduced vision, and swelling of eyes.
FAQs
Tell your doctor if you are using other medicines including ointments or drops. Wait for a minimum of 5 minutes after applying Natamycin and then only use other medicines.
The most common cause for fungal eye infection is an eye injury especially if a plant material like a stick or thorn caused an injury. Most fungi that cause eye infections live in the environment often associated with plant material.
While using antifungal medicine, it is suggested to avoid high sugary foods like bananas, dates, certain meats, and refined fats.
Natamycin works only for fungal eye infections, using it unnecessarily may lead to reduced effectiveness of the medicine.
Some of the common symptoms of fungal eye infection are eye redness, blurred vision, eye pain, eye discharge.
Natamycin is mostly used for the treatment of eye infections. It is not recommended for the treatment of ear infections. However, it should be used for any indication only when prescribed by a doctor.
Natamycin may improve within 2 to 3 days of administration. However, recovery depends on different factors such as age, the severity of the infection, and comorbidities.
Natamycin contains 'Natamycin', which works by killing fungi by destroying its outer cell membrane. The fungal cell membranes are essential for their survival as they prevent the entry of unwanted substances into the cells and stops the leakage of cell contents.
Before using Natamycin, you must inform your doctor if you have any allergy to Natamycin or any antibiotics or if you are taking any other medicines.
